Ring-necked Pheasants. These multi-colored birds are not native to North America. Their native land is Russia and the northeast part of Europe (Caucasus). It has been widely introduced in other places as a game bird. It has become one of the world's most hunted birds. Ring-necked Pheasants are commonly bred and then released specifically for hunting. It is the state bird of South Dakota -- one of only three US state birds not native to the United States. Estimates are that farms in the US have nearly 10 million birds, 35 million in the UK. Most of these are released into the wild for hunting purposes, but many are also available for purchase through grocery and specialty stores for consumption. The majority of the "wild" or feral birds are in the plains states as well as the northwest and northeast states.
Ridefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington.
Mahleur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
And a favorite of mine with an American Bittern
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, California
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